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| Cuneiform Tablet |
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| Ideographic Writing |
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| Quill Pen |
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| Smart Pen |
The idea of taking notes and
organizing those notes among other documents rhymes with habits and traditions
of countless years. Recorded
history originates 5000 years ago with the earliest written expression in
cuneiform script. Before this
written communication consisted of ideographic symbols. The desire to communicate through
written language is a fundamental cornerstone of modern civilization.
The digital Smartpen is an
innovation that transfers the development of written communication into a digital
format. This innovation allows someone
to take notes digitally and integrate those notes with audio recordings and
visual capture. This week I am
with my father who is in the hospital.
As we completed paperwork in the Emergency Room, the admitting clerk
came to us with a pile of papers to sign.
With them was a digital pen.
In discussing this with the admitting staff, I determined that they used
the pen to capture signatures on the documents to store in the computer. This eliminates the need subsequent
scanning of a signed document and for hard copy document storage.
There is a good review of one
version of the Smartpen available at:
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/gadgets/1286173/livescribe-echo-smartpen. This pen rekindles the concept of note
taking and document authorization but places the mechanics in a digital
framework. The result is the increased
codependency of our society on a digital interface. View the December speech by Kevin
Kelly to hear his explorations of possible future developments of the
web. This pen is another step in
line with the integration of web technologies with daily activities.
Reference:
Kelly, K. (2007, December).
Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the Web [Speech]. Speech delivered
at the EG 2007 Conference, Los Angeles. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html
I enjoyed reading your post. We both worked on the same concept. The use of Smartpen is great, but it seems it will soon become obsolete. The cost is now affordable. I was thrilled when I bought a “Spy pen” some years back for $100. However, technological advancement might soon make the world penless. I want to see a pen (device) that can read and capture my mind without writing. The future is here!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great example, Jeriann. I wonder if fiscal and time cost-benefit analysis will determine which technologies will become increasingly more normative. For example, if significant time and money can be saved through something as simple as a Smartpen scanning signatures then it's not a surprise that this technology will increase in demand. What other technological devices do you foresee become more normative due to such cost-benefit analysis?
ReplyDeleteJeriann,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you represented the evolution written communication in pictures.
I had just reponded to Aderonke's blog, and mentioned that I had just been introduced to the electronic pen. As soon as I was done, I read your blog, and here you were talking about the electronic pen!
As I noted I was impressed by this technology which my friend bought for $150.00. This person can write faster than they can type, so it is easier for him to take notes with the pen, then upload to the computer whenever convenient.
The pen also appears in other formats. I recently had to buy a stylus for my ipad, and was pleasantly surprised when the salesperson showed me one which was also a fully functioning pen.
I wonder what else the pen will evolve into?
jennifer